His Team Penske teammate, Joey Logano, was second fastest in the segmented qualifier.

Keselowski completed a lap at 139.384 mph, breaking the record of 139.222 mph set by Jimmie Johnson before last year’s Chase race in November.

“We had a really fast car and there is some pride to be taken in being the first one to win a Sprint Cup pole in this format,” Keselowski said. “I am sure it will undergo a few adjustments along the way but it is very rewarding and a testament to my team and how fast of a car they gave me. Then it was just a matter of executing on my end. We were able to do that. I dind’t think I ran a good enough lap to be quite honest. When they told me the time, I said, ‘Alright, I will take it.’